The Customs Department at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi apprehended a 73-year-old man, Shiv Kumar, on Wednesday night in connection with gold smuggling charges. Kumar was found with nearly 500 grams of gold valued at approximately 35 lakh rupees. During interrogation, he claimed to be an assistant to Shashi Tharoor, a three-time member of parliament from Thiruvananthapuram and a Congress leader. However, Tharoor clarified that Kumar is a former employee and currently has no affiliation with him.
Officials stated that Kumar possessed a valid aerodrome entry permit, which is typically issued under protocol to members of parliament. Allegedly, Kumar was using it improperly to facilitate the smuggling activities at the airport.
How was the accused captured?
On May 29, a flight from Bangkok arrived in Delhi, whereupon Customs officials grew suspicious of two individuals and proceeded to search them. They recovered a 500-gram gold chain. Severely lacking proper justification for the gold, the individuals were taken into custody and interrogated. One of the detainees, identified as Shiv Kumar, professed to be Tharoor’s personal assistant. The investigation revealed Kumar’s involvement in gold smuggling, having met with the arriving passenger to assist in the act.
Source: aajtak
Valid aerodrome entry permits (AEP) allow MPs' personal assistants easy access to the airport, where they can receive and see off guests in arrival and departure halls. The permits are jointly issued by airport operators and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
Currently, inquiries are underway to determine how Kumar obtained a valid AEP and whether he was part of a protocol team. Alongside this, his involvement in gold smuggling is also being scrutinized. An FIR for gold smuggling has been filed against the accused.
In the aftermath, Shashi Tharoor has distanced himself from the incident and expressed shock. Tharoor mentioned that he is in Dharamshala for election campaigning and learned of this incident involving a former staff member. The detainee had been working part-time as an 'airport facilitation assistant' on compassionate ground due to his age—72 years old and regularly undergoing dialysis. Tharoor has expressed full support for the authorities' efforts to investigate the matter, affirming that the law must take its course.
Considering this development, there are speculations regarding potential complications for Tharoor. Custom officials are delving into all of Shiv Kumar’s connections, given that he identified himself as Tharoor’s assistant and had a protocol pass typically issued only to lawmakers. While Tharoor has acknowledged the accused as a former employee, ensuring the security of sensitive airport areas and proper handling of such security passes are under scrutiny.
